Automobile land-torpedo.



C. VENDER.

AUTOMOBILE LAND TORPEDO. APPLICATION FILED AuG.30. Is'Is.

1 ,297,939. Patented Mar. 18, l919.

2 SHEETS- SHEET C; VENDER.

AUTOMOBILE LAND ToRPEno.

1,297,939. APPL cA lou FILED AUG ao 19 a Patented Mar. 118| 1919.*

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

wva/wto/z vari ple der UNITE@ STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CARL VENDER, OF KENOSHA, WISCONSIN.

AUTOMOBILE LAND-TORPEDO.

Application filed August 30, 1918.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, CARL VENDER, a citizen of Switzerland, residing at Kenosha, in the county of Kenosha and State of Wisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Automobile Land-Torpedoes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an automobile land torpedo, and the object is to provide a self-propelled apparatus carrying an explosive charge and carrying means for destroying barbed wire and other entanglements, the apparatus being designed to travel in a given direction, and for the required distance when the steering gear is properly set, and when the means for exploding the charge have been properly adjusted. l

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of elements hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a view of the device in side elevation Fig. 2 is a top plan view Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section through the charge chambers Fig. 4 is a detail showing, in section, the firing device of Figs. 1 and 2.

A framework comprises a central longitudinal member 10, diagonally extending bars 12 and 13 connected with member 10 at the point 14 and diverging to a point where they are connected with a transverse brace 15. The main axle is designated 16 and wheels 17 and 18 are mounted thereon.

A guiding wheel 2O is mounted in a fork 21 carried by a short pillar or the like designated 22, the latter carrying a right angled operating arm 23. This arm 23 may be held in any desired position for the purpose of controlling the direction of travel of the apparatus, by means of threaded clamping devices 24.

The motor is shown conventionally at 25 and is carried on the main frame, a portion of the transmission mechanism being designated 26, the latter imparting motion to the Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 18, 1919.

Serial No. 252,049.

main axle 16. A chamber containing a charge of explosive material is designated 30, and on both sides thereof are supplementary chambers, the latter being shown at 31 and 32 and designed for carrying bullets, scrap iron or other material of similar character. An additional chamber 33 may carry iniammable liquid or material producing a poisonous gas.

Carried adjacent to the explosive chamber is a firing device shown at 35 and operated by concussion due to the impact of the apparatus against an obstruction of any charter offering suitable resistance. A time fuse 37 is also provided, insuring the explosion of the charge in the event that it is not exploded in the manner above indicated, or in the event that it is desired to discharge the explosive at the expiration of a given interval regardless of any obstruction encountered.

A device for cutting barbed wire entangle-` ments and the like is mounted at the front of the apparatus, and comprises an inclined member 40 suitably braced as shown at 41, the elelnent 40 terminating at its upper end in a cutting blade arranged at an angle.

When the device encounters an entanglement, the individual wires will be carried upwardly along the incline and brought into engagement with the cutting blade 42, for the purpose of forcing an opening through the obstruction.

The firing device 85 includes a tubular member 50, one end of which is in proximity to the firing pin 51 and the other end of which is closed by a cap 52. The end last named is deflected downwardly, and within the deflected portion normallyT rests a tiring device 53 which is thrown forward into contact with the firing pin when the machine is suddenly stopped by an obstruction. The tubular member is partly supported in part by an adjustable device including an upright 55 provided with a series of apertures 5G through certain of which the holding device 57 is passed. Adjustment may thereby be effect-ed, permitting the apparatus to operate on grades.

Q 1 .Y j 1,297,939

'Y Y Whatrs lclaimed is: I ment freely movable through the` tubular In a device of theelassdeserbed., means member upon the mpactjof the Vehicle With carried by afmotor Vehicle for containng'an an obstruction, saidv freely movable ele- 10 Y explosive charge, and a firing device ncludment contracting with the rngpn.

5 ing a rngl pn, a Vmbulleu' lmenfoelr, means In testimony whereof I `aX my signature. for adjustably supporting thek latter for` Y Y Y Varyngrthe inclination thereof, and rcurele'- Y Y CARL VENDER.

f Gpies of Vthis patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' VWashington, D. 0. Y Y 

